Benefits Of Peace

It looks like science has finally found a link between stress and aging:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A20394-2004Nov29.html

You can now see the wisdom of the scripture to:

"Cast all your anxiety on Him because he cares for you."
1 Peter 5:7

After casting your anxiety on the Lord, make sure to embrace His peace. There is a wonderful promise for doing so:

"A heart at peace gives life to the body."
Proverbs 14:30

These scriptures were written thousands of years ago. God is always ahead of the curve!

Another stress relief is to seek to simplify your life.

http://my.webmd.com/content/article/84/98249.htm?z=1623_00000_0000_ep_03

It may require not only thinking over your 'to do list', but also evaluate creating a "stop doing list".

According to the 80/20 principle many of our activities produce little or no results. According to the 80/20 principle, around 20% of our activies produce 80% of our results. The key is to evaluate the activities that are actually "producing fruit" and major on them. The non-productive activies can be "pruned out" of our lives or delegated. Certain things are not necessarily "wrong", they are just non-productive and unprofitable. The bible calls these things "unnecessary weights" that slow us down in our particular "race".

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. " Hebrews 12:1

With spring upon us, it might be worth doing some spring cleaning, as well. As Americans we tend to have a lot of "stuff" (books we haven't read for years, clutter, old clothes, etc.) that can be "shown the door" at this point. :) The excess "stuff" can get in the way of simplifying our lives.

This is a good rule of thumb for "stuff" that's lost it's meaning: give it away, throw it away or file it. This is all a much better approach then the 'piling method', made famous by Oscar Madison. :) With the rise of eBay and other online auctions, if you have the time, you can also sell it. Turn your 'trash into cash'. :) Who knows, learning to deal wisely with your stuff might be the door to a side-biz. There are also Ebay drop-off centers now that can sell your stuff for you.

I believe by getting rid of the excess "stuff" it opens the door for "new things". I believe it's also a therapeutic process that in some respect 'unclutters' your mind and aids in the process of going after your dreams. As Jesus said:

"And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the new wine will burst the skins, the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, new wine must be poured into new wineskins. "

Luke 5:37-39

Best success as you move toward a more peaceful, simplified, yet effective life.

You are the best. :)